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Gulf Insider
05-05-2025
- Climate
- Gulf Insider
Massive Dust Storm Hits Saudi Arabia, Kuwait And Jordan, Triggering Travel Chaos And Flash Floods
A powerful dust storm has blanketed large parts of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, triggering travel disruptions, flash floods and emergency evacuations. Authorities in all three countries have issued red alerts and warned of further weather instability in the coming days. Saudi Arabia In central Saudi Arabia, residents of Al Qassim province witnessed a rare and dramatic phenomenon described as a 'wall of dust' that swept through the region on Sunday, reducing visibility to near zero and prompting widespread safety warnings. Videos shared on social media showed the sky turning orange as the storm surged forward like a towering wave, blocking out sunlight. Meteorologist Abdullah Al Misnad, a former professor at Qassim University, attributed the event to powerful downdrafts from cumulonimbus clouds — scientifically classified as gravity-driven haboobs — which generate intense, fast-moving dust walls. These walls, he noted, can reach heights of up to 2,000 meters and wind speeds of 100 km/h, posing major hazards to both air and land transportation. The National Center for Meteorology issued red alerts across five regions, including Riyadh and the Eastern Province, warning of continued dust storms, heavy rainfall, hail, and potential flooding. Authorities urged residents to remain indoors, avoid open areas, and limit travel, especially on highways and exposed roads. Kuwait Kuwait was battered by violent winds and thick dust clouds, leading aviation and maritime authorities to temporarily suspend operations. Wind gusts topping 100 km/h reduced visibility in some areas to zero. Two inbound flights from Egypt were diverted to Dammam, Saudi Arabia, while the Kuwait Ports Authority halted activity at Shuwaikh and Shuaiba ports to safeguard workers and infrastructure. Operations resumed Monday morning as weather conditions improved. Kuwait's acting Director of the Meteorological Department, Dharar Al Ali, warned that the country is currently in the 'Sarayat' period—a volatile seasonal transition known for rapid atmospheric shifts, thunderstorms, and heavy dust. Satellite data indicated intense regional activity, with scattered rain forecast through midweek. The Interior Ministry issued public safety alerts, urging drivers to reduce speed, maintain safe following distances, and pull over if visibility drops to zero. Jordan In Jordan, the storm system unleashed erratic and hazardous weather across several regions, with rain, thunderstorms, and dust severely reducing visibility and causing flash floods in low-lying areas. In Petra, one of Jordan's most visited tourist attractions, authorities evacuated hundreds of visitors on Sunday after flash floods inundated parts of the archaeological site. More than 1,700 tourists were present when Civil Defense teams implemented emergency protocols. Ticket sales were suspended at midday, and key landmarks — including Al Khazneh, the Siq, and the Monastery—were cleared as water levels rose rapidly. Tragically, the flooding claimed the lives of a Belgian woman and her son, who were part of an adventure tour in Wadi Al Nakhil near Ma'an. Two of her children survived. Jordan's Public Security Directorate said search and rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate missing persons, with additional incidents reported in Tafileh and Al Hasa involving stranded tourists and livestock herders. 'We evacuated most of the tourists without injuries,' said Yazan Mahadin, Commissioner of Petra Archaeological Park. 'Safety is our top priority.'
Gulf Insider
26-02-2025
- Climate
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait Cold Wave Peaks: Temperatures Drop Below Freezing In Some Areas
A cold wave gripping Kuwait is expected to peak on Tuesday (today) and Wednesday as the country remains under the influence of a cold air mass from Europe. Kuwait's Meteorological Department forecasts temperatures ranging from rather cold to severely cold during the day on Tuesday, becoming cold to very cold at night, with a likelihood of frost in agricultural and desert areas. At Kuwait International Airport, the maximum temperature on Tuesday is expected to reach 15°C, while the minimum will dip to 7°C. Head of the Meteorological Department, Dharar Al Ali, stated that Wednesday's weather will be rather cold to cold, with conditions ranging from partly cloudy to cloudy. Frost is again likely in agricultural and desert regions. Maximum temperatures are expected to range between 13°C and 15°C. By Wednesday evening, the weather will turn cold to very cold. However, temperatures are forecast to gradually rise starting Thursday. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti weather expert Essa Ramadan noted that the polar cold wave has broken long-standing low-temperature records. In a post on X, he reported that minimum temperatures in Mutriba (northern Kuwait) and Al Salmi (far west) dropped to -1°C. However, the perceived temperatures in these areas were even lower, reaching -8°C in Mutriba and -6°C in Al Salmi.
